Fountain toothbrush



Au 25, 1942. cH cHu 2,294,285

FOUNTAIN TOOTHBRU-SH Filed Sept. 30/1939 I BY . ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 25, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN TOOTHBRUSH Chao-Hsing Chu, Dearborn, Mich.

Application September 30, 1939, Serial No. 297,202

4 Claims.

The invention relates to a combined toothbrush and dentifrice holder whereby dentifrice from the holder may be supplied to the brush, the two being built and coordinated as a self-contained unit.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shOWn and described.

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central vertical section of a fountain toothbrush embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective detail of the removable brush element viewed from the top and side;

Fig. 3 is a similar view from the side and bottom of the brush element;

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail of the connecting member between the brush and the dentifrice supp y;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of the device shown in Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the dentifrice feeding screw;

Fig. 7 shows two perspective views in different positions of operation of the dentifrice valve member;

Fig. 8 is a perspective detail of the feeding control spring;

Fig. 9 is a similar view of the enclosure cap nut; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective, with parts broken away, of the dentifrice containing tube.

Objects of the invention are to provide a fountain toothbrush having exceedingly simple mechanical construction; large dentifrice capacity; simple means for filling and refilling same with dentifrice; simple and compact but durable means for feeding and controlling the feed of dentifrice from the supply to the toothbrush; and to provide means whereby all the elements of the device are readily separable for cleaning yet which can be Very simply reassembled by the 11561.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description of the invention and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawing, the major parts of my fountain toothbrush comprise the removable brush or bristle element I, a brush-supporting and dentifrice-feeding conduit 2, a dentifrice-containing tub or chamber 9 which also functions as the brush handle, a dentifrice-feeding or conveying spiral member or screw 3, a compressible connecting spring 4 between the dentifrice chamber 9 and the brush support 2, a removable end closure 6 and a dentifrice feed control valve member 5. Preferably also the device is provided with a removable brush guarding cap or cover 39 which fits onto the dentifrice chamber 9.

Referring first to the means for containing the supply of dentifrice and for propelling or extruding same toward the brush, the tubular chamber 9 is designed to receive and house a spiral screw feed member 3, the peripheral threads of which fit closely within the inner walls of the chamber 9 so as to be rotatable therewithin. The rear or dentifrice receiving end of the screw 3 is provided with a channel 20 for the introduction of tooth paste or the like and is internally threaded at H for the reception of an end closure cap 6, the shank of which is conformably threaded as shown. A portion of the shell forming the conduit 20 is enlarged to provide for a gasket seat l8 wherein may be seated a rubber gasket 8 or the like between the screw and the inner surface of the tube 9. Spaced apart lugs or teeth l9 project from the shoulder 3|. The spaces between teeth l9 are normally engaged by conforming teeth 24 at the end of the tube 9, thereby to prevent rotation between the screw 3 and the tube 9.

Referring now to the interconnection between the brush-supporting and dentifrice-feeding member 2 and the forward or inner end of the chamber 9 and its associated parts, said forward end of chamber 9 is internally threaded at [3a to engage the externally threaded enlarged end I3 of the member 2, thereby providing a rigid connection between the handle-chamber 9 and the brush holder conduit 2. Means are provided for affording a sliding compressible connection between the end 13 of the member 2 and the spiral dentifrice feed screw 3. As shown, said may be rotated Within the chamber 9.

means comprise a normally expanded helical spring 4, one end of which is seated against a circular flange 22 at the inner end of the spiral 3 and surrounds the reduced dentifrice conduit 23 projecting therefrom. A notch H in the flange 22 provides an outlet for dentifrice from the chamber 9 through the conduit 23. The opposite end of spring 4 is seated in a cylindrical recess I5 formed within the enlarged end I3 of the member 2. An inner wall l4 surrounds the inner end of the conduit 23 and provides a guide therefor and on its outer surface for the spring 4. It will be clear that the spring 4 thus surrounds the telescoping parts 23 and I4 of the members 3 and 2 respectively and as shown is normally in an expanded condition.

In order to provide a conduit for dentifrice coming from the feed screw 3 to the brush the member 2 is internally hollowed throughout its length forming atube I2 which projects in reduced ferm beyond the main structural portion of the me b r 2': f ihem in s em r d of the member 2 is designed to receive and support the brush I. For this purpose the upper surface of the member 2 is provided near its end with a V- shapedrecess 35 into which a conforming tongue 35 en the brush I isadapted to fit. Further support is afforded between the brush I and the member 2 by a channel II) in the body or backing of the brush into which the projecting dentifric e tube I2 is adapted to seat. A dentifrice ppening .I I. is provided between the channel IE3 andthe lower or bristle engaging surface of the brush I and said opening I I is positioned to communicate with a conforming opening It in th tube I 2 of themembe'rZ.

The invention provides means for controlling the feed of dentrific'e from the conduit I2 through the apertures I6 and II to the brush. As mbodied, a valve mechanism comprising the connecting stem 5 is designed to control the opening between the apertures I6 and II so that paste or other dentifrice will be fed therethrough only when the spiral feed screw 3 is compressed and rotated. As embodied, the feed end 45 of the member 5 is formed as a cyli'nder having a feed port 21. Feed cylinder 45 lies Within'and is rotatable relative. to the. conduit I2, the port 2! normally being to the rearof and out of angular alignment with openings I6 and H. The opposite or rear end of the member 5 is also formed be telesco'ped between the outer surface of the conduit 23 on screw 3 and the inner surface of sleeve I'4 on the member 2. An open cam track 2 6 is formed in sleve45 and is adapted to be engaged by "a pin 46 projecting inwardly from the'surface or the sleeve I4. A circular flange 25 is providd'at the rear end of the sleeve 45 to lie against the flange 22 on the screw 3. v

n operation; assume that the chamber 9 is filled with dentifrice such as tooth paste of any usual consistency. Pressing on the cap 6 disengages the teeth I9 and 24 so that the screw 3 Such rotation'frocesa measure of tooth paste along the conduits 23 and I2 toward'th'e brush. The initial translation of the screw "3 with respect to the member2 (against the compression of spring 4) advances the valve member 5 and the pin 46 en- 'gag'ing'cam track '26 rotates member 5 so as to bring the po'rt2'I into alignment with the ports II and I6. Thereby a load of dentifrice is extruded' onto the brush. Up'on rele'as i ng the co'm pression on member 6 the parts return to their original Position.

To fill the chamber 9 with dentifrice the cap screw 6 is removed and a tooth paste tube having the conventional threaded end is screwed into the receptacle II. By squeezing and rotating the tooth paste tube, the chamber 9 is thus filled with dentifrice. If desired, the chamber may be filled with powder in lieu of paste.

The entire device may be readily cleaned by removing the brush head I and unscrewing the member 2 from the casing 9, whereby the remaining parts may be readily separated. It will be clear that they may be as readily reassembled as shown.

I I prefer to make many of the parts, such as the casing 9, the screw 3 and the portion 2 surrounding the paste conduit I2 of a moulded plastic, preferably transparent, such as Tenite, thereby increasing the attractiveness and cleanliness of the device and also rendering immediately perceivable the amount of dentifrice present in the chamber 9. V

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. A fountain toothbrush including in combination a brush, a dentifrice container comprising a hollow cylindrical member, a conduit from said container to the brush, a screw-shaped member rotatably and axially slidably mounted in said container and having "rotary engagement with the inner walls thereof for feeding dentifrice through the container and conduit to the brush, and valve means operated by movement of the screw member to control the feed of dentifrice from the conduit to the brush. 7

2. A fountain toothbrush including in combination a brush, a dentifrice container comprising a hollow cylindrical member, a conduit from said container to the brush, -a;screw-shaped member rotatably and axially 'slidably mounted in said container and having rotary engagement with the inner walls thereof for feeding dentifrice through the container and conduit to the brush, and valve means operated by axially sliding movement of the screw member to control the feed of dentifrice from the conduit to the brush.

3. A fountain toothbrush'including in combination a brush, a dentifrice container comprising a hollow cylindrical member, a conduit from said container to the brush,-a screw-shaped member mounted in said container and having rotary engagement with thei-nne'r walls thereof for feeding dentifrice through the container andcdnduit to the brush and valve rnea'ns operated by movement of the screw member to control the feed of dentifrice from the conduit to the brush.

4. A fountain toothbrnsh 'i-n'elu'ding in combination a brush head, a dentifrice container, a conduit member from said container to the brush head a sc rew -mernber axially slid ably an-d rotatably -mcunted within the container for feeding dentifrice through said conduit, valve means extending along the conduit and into the brush head to control the reed "of dentifrice from the conduit to the brush, and cam lne'a'ns on said valve means for actuating the valve 'ineans by axially sliding -ii'io'vem'en-t of the screw member.

CHAO-HSING cHU; 

